At least 10 people were injured and several vehicles were torched after a violent clash broke out between two groups in Kolhapur’s Siddharthnagar area late Friday night, police said.
The violence erupted during a programme organised to mark 31 years of the Rajebagswar Football Club. Flex banners, posters and sound systems put up for the event reportedly angered local residents, who complained of inconvenience.
Tensions escalated when people from the locality, including members of some groups, objected to the arrangements. Heated arguments quickly turned into a full-scale confrontation.
By around 10 p.m., both sides were engaged in heavy stone-pelting. At least two cars were set ablaze, while eight to nine vehicles, including auto-rickshaws and parked cars, were vandalised.
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Eyewitnesses said vehicle windows were shattered and debris was strewn across the roadside. Parts of the parking area were left completely damaged in the chaos.
More than 200 police personnel were rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. Authorities said the violence stemmed from a misunderstanding between the two groups.
SP Kolhapur appealed for calm and urged citizens not to believe rumours. “I request all of them not to be affected by the rumours. The situation is good. The incident happened suddenly. And the leaders of the two groups have also requested that no such message should be spread,” the SP said.
No arrests have been made so far in connection with the incident.
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